Page 27 of The Boss and the Adoption Mess
Ouch. That much less?
"I rarely travel, and most of the work would just be paperwork."
"May I be honest?" At this point, it doesn’t matter.
"Please, by all means." He’s still smiling.
"I need the money. I couldn’t care less about the job." If this were a sitcom, the laugh track would kick in right now. But instead, I just sit there silently blinking, trying to hold my composure and gauge his reaction. He smiles. Then laughs. Then leans back.
"Gabriel didn’t exaggerate. You are definitely honest."
"I’ll do the job—as well as I possibly can. And as soon as I find something better, I’ll move on." No idea why I’m being this blunt. Actually… yes, I do. I don’t want this job. I thought I could stomach it, but everything in me is fighting against it. Absolutely everything.
"Wow, you really are damn honest. So, if you found something better in a week, you’d be gone?"
"Yes. Of course. But Gabriel asked me to come here, so here I am." Honestly, all I want to do is get up and leave. I’m surprised I even showed up at all. Desperation must have been speaking when I agreed. Now that I’m here, I just want out. Just like Rosie said to me earlier.
And I feel that in my bones.
"Normally applicantslie through their teeth and gush about the company endlessly." He watches me with genuine curiosity. "If it’s about the money, I’m sure I could get a bit more out of Gabriel."
"It’s more about my résumé. And the money too, of course." But no—deep down, I know I don’t want this job.
"And if I offered you the same salary you would’ve gotten with Gabriel?"
"I love challenges. I need to keep moving and learning, otherwise I lose interest fast."
"Hmm. I see." He considers me carefully.
God, how rude do I have to be before he finally lets me go? I even glance at my phone, trying to look impatient and annoyed. Something inside me is screaming to stand up and walk out. At the same time, I feel sorry for Steven. He seems like a genuinely good guy, someone who deserves a personal assistant who’s steady and reliable.
"What else is it?" he presses. "You didn’t come all this way just to turn down the job, did you? You could’ve done that over the phone."
"Gabriel can’t stand me. The feeling’s mutual. I don’t think I can work here, even though it would’ve been my dream job to work for… Mr. Kensington."
"That’s not what he told me. He spoke of you in the highest terms." Steven frowns thoughtfully, eyeing me with suspicion. A knock interrupts us, and he calls for his secretary to come in. She brings in our drinks—and even a tray of snacks. After setting everything down, she slips back out.
"He also mentioned that you have diabetes," Steven adds. The snacks are exactly what you’d expect: veggie sticks and other diabetic-friendly bites.
"That’s really kind of you, but I think I’d better go now. Gabriel… I mean, Mr. Kensington isn’t going to let me have this job. No matter how qualified I am or how enthusiastic you are about me. We just got off on the wrong foot."
"He’s grateful to you. You brought his niece back. What makes you so sure he doesn’t like you?"
"That angry look earlier said it all." My own fault. But it doesn’t matter now. I shake my head.
I won’t be happy here. I need to let this dream go.
"He often looks grim, but Gabriel’s a good guy. He doesn’t have it easy and rarely lets anyone get close. Maybe you two should clear the air first. I think you both have a few things to work out. And if you still want to work for me after that, call me and we’ll have a proper conversation. How does that sound?"
Yeah, this Steven really is a good guy.
"Thanks for the offer, but…"
"Think about it."
"You’re a good person. But I’m the wrong one for the job."
"Maybe. Maybe not." He smiles and stands. I stand as well and shake his hand.
